Hadith

Pillars of Islam

Islam is the complete way of life whereby one consciously submits before Allah, admitting HIM as the only Lord of the world and starts following Sunnah of the last messenger Muhammad (s.a.w). When one person enters into Islam, he submits before the Will of Allah, it means compliance and obedience to the laws of Allah.

Pillars of Islam refer to those basic ingredients of this religion which makes one a Muslim.

1) Declaration(Faith)

The declaration of faith in Allah called Shahadah or giving witness includes that there is no God worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad (s.a.w) is His messenger. This is a simple formula of being Muslim which is pronounced for every born Muslim at the time of birth and for the new Muslim at the time of Shahadah.

The sound Muslim faith is so monolithic that La Ilaha Illallah dismisses anything which we may be cajoled to seek help other than Allah like: people, wealth, influence etc. The second part ‘Muhammad Rasulullah’ connotes that he (s.a.w) is the last and final messenger of Allah and no more prophet will come till Qayamah.

1) Salah (Prayer)

The prayer is led by a learned person (Imam) five times a day in which verses from Quran are recited. The lesson of namaz is in Arabic language as taught by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). The five prayers: Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha are performed at dawn, midday, mid-afternoon, sunset and dusk.

Salah is the key to success for Muslims as the Call to Prayer (Azan) includes these words: ‘Hayya Alal Falah’ meaning ‘come towards successes so Muslims success in daily life is directly proportional to their quality of prayers

Salah is the key to success for Muslims as the Call to Prayer (Azan) includes these words: ‘Hayya Alal Falah’ meaning ‘come towards success’ so Muslims success in daily life is directly proportional to their quality of prayers.

1) Zakaat

The principle of Islam which gives this belief that everything belongs to Allah is Zakaat. The meaning of word Zakaat includes both things: purification and growth.

Zakaat is giving charity to keep money flow in the society. It is giving two and a half percent of one’s capital.

Zakaat amount depends upon the type of assets of an individual and the wealth that he/she possesses. The one who has the financial capitals (Nisaab) for paying Zakaat and he still not do it, will be punished heavily in this world and the hereafter. Muslims are encouraged not only to give Zakaat but also other voluntary charities (sadaqaat).

2) Fasting

In the Islamic month of Ramadan, followed by Sh’baan, Muslims fast from morning to evening. The fasting is done for the sake of Allah (s.w.t) in which Muslims consciously abstain from evil doings and work on spiritual development.

Main purpose of fasting in Islam is to develop Allah-consciousness and gratefulness in people. Muslims learnt traits of charity, patience, gratefulness, speaking truth, abstain from evil etc. during Ramadan and then practice them throughout the year. The 30 Sayyaam in Ramadan are like a crash course designed by Allah (s.w.t) for developing productive habits which are source of benefit in this world and the hereafter.

3) Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah is fard or mandatory on those Muslims who are physically able as well as financially stable to afford its expenses. From every corner of the globe around 2 million people go to Saudi Arabia to perform fifth pillar of Islam i.e. Hajj.

The essence of this Ebadah is that it develops unity and patience in Muslims. As Hajj is the occasion when Muslims from all parts of the world, from different races, ethnicities and backgrounds, gather at one place and perform same Ebadah.